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<\/p>\nTALLAHASSEE, Fla.\u00a0\u2014 The email came a day earlier than expected.<\/p>\n
For Florida A&M University alumnus Gamaliel Harris, what should have been an ordinary
\n afternoon quickly became a life-changing moment.<\/p>\n
The Juilliard School admissions decisions were expected April 1. Instead, Harris saw
\n the notification on March 31 and immediately froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking at it like, \u2018Oh shoot, is this what I think it is?\u2019\u201d Harris said. \u201cMy
\n heart just sank.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moments later, that nervous anticipation turned into celebration.<\/p>\n
Accepted into Juilliard\u2019s graduate jazz studies program, Harris called his parents,
\n then joined extended family in an emotional FaceTime celebration.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Florida A&M University alumnus Gamaliel Harris poses beneath a City of Tallahassee
\n banner featuring his image from a past performance. Harris, a 2025 graduate, will
\n begin Juilliard\u2019s graduate jazz studies program this fall. (Photo courtesy: Gamaliel
\n Harris)<\/p>\n
For the Fort Walton Beach native, the moment represented far more than an acceptance
\n letter \u2014 it was confirmation that a dream he once admired from a distance was now
\n within reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cJuilliard was always a dream of mine,\u201d Harris said. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t think it would
\n actually be possible until everything happened at FAMU.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Harris first arrived at Florida A&M University, his path looked very different.<\/p>\n
A 2025 graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in pre-physical therapy, he initially planned
\n to continue his education in health care while pursuing music as a passion.<\/p>\n
But balancing science coursework with rehearsals and performance opportunities gradually
\n opened the door to something bigger.<\/p>\n
The defining moment came when FAMU\u2019s jazz ensemble competed at the Jazz at Lincoln
\n Center and Virginia Arts Festival HBCU Jazz Festival in Norfolk, Virginia.<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_GamalielHarris4.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumnus Gamaliel Harris performs with a jazz ensemble during
\n a live performance. Harris said opportunities to perform throughout his time at FAMU
\n helped strengthen both his musicianship and confidence. (Photo courtesy: Gamaliel
\n Harris)<\/p>\n
Competing against 11 historically Black colleges and universities, the ensemble earned
\n the opportunity to open for Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Harris also stood out
\n individually, earning Outstanding Trombonist honors and the festival\u2019s Overall Outstanding
\n Soloist Award.<\/p>\n
In the audience that day was acclaimed jazz musician and Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic
\n Director Wynton Marsalis.<\/p>\n
After hearing Harris perform, Marsalis offered words that would stay with him long
\n after the festival ended.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me I was ready to go on the road,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThen he told me I should
\n apply to Juilliard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Until then, Harris had never seriously considered the possibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, \u2018Why not?\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For\u00a0Robert Griffin, associate professor of music and director of jazz at Florida A&M
\n University, the performance confirmed what he had already seen in Harris.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis performance was a life-changing moment for Gamaliel,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cJazz at
\n Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis heard Gamaliel play and encouraged
\n him to attend Juilliard as a graduate student. Thus, the story begins.\u201d<\/p>\n
That encouragement sparked a demanding year of preparation.<\/p>\n
Harris spent months mastering audition pieces, sharpening his sight-reading skills,
\n preparing for theory exams and composing original music to strengthen his application.<\/p>\n
When audition day arrived in New York, the challenge was immediate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was probably the most difficult sight reading I\u2019ve ever had to do,\u201d Harris said.
\n \u201cFour pages of straight notes. Nobody aced it. But I was able to start and finish
\n with the rhythm section, so I knew I had done what I needed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though Juilliard represents the next chapter, Harris said the foundation was built
\n at FAMU.<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_GamalielHarris5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
From FAMU\u2019s Foster Tanner Band Building to The Juilliard School in New York, Gamaliel
\n Harris\u2019 journey reflects a full-circle moment for the musician who once dreamed of
\n stages far beyond Tallahassee. (Photo courtesy: Gamaliel Harris)<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though my bachelor\u2019s wasn\u2019t in music, I still learned so much musically at FAMU,\u201d
\n Harris said. \u201cI learned how to lead a section, how to shape solos, how to lead a band.\u201d<\/p>\n
Griffin said Harris made an immediate impression.<\/p>\n
\u201cGamaliel is a gifted musician with God-given talent,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cHis presence
\n in the jazz ensemble was inspirational to band members. He was the spark plug to the
\n band.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Griffin\u2019s mentorship, Harris performed at the Governor\u2019s Mansion, the Florida
\n Capitol and other major events that expanded both his artistry and professional network.<\/p>\n
\u201cFAMU is really where my name started getting out there,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThere were
\n so many opportunities and connections that happened because I was there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balancing music with a demanding science curriculum required discipline.<\/p>\n
Harris recalls leaving chemistry labs in his lab coat and rushing across campus to
\n rehearsals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was getting a great education on both sides,\u201d he said. \u201cI really felt like I could
\n do anything because of the staff that were there at FAMU.\u201d<\/p>\n
Music has long been woven into Harris\u2019 life.<\/p>\n
Raised in a musical family, he said his father introduced him to jazz, while gospel
\n music filled their home. His parents, both FAMU alumni, often brought the family to
\n Tallahassee for football games, where Harris became captivated by the sound of the
\n Marching \u201c100.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, Harris is preparing for life in New York as he begins Juilliard\u2019s two-year graduate
\n program.<\/p>\n
His aspirations include touring, recording and building a career as a professional
\n musician.<\/p>\n
Griffin believes Harris is ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cGamaliel will be an asset to any ensemble or performing situation into which he is
\n selected at Juilliard,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cI have no doubt that he will achieve his goal
\n and become successful in the music world.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Harris prepares for his next chapter, he hopes his story reminds fellow Rattlers
\n that even the most ambitious dreams can begin in unexpected places.<\/p>\n
\u201cBelieve in yourself and believe in your ability,\u201d he said. \u201cPut in the work, trust
\n the process and know that your hard work won\u2019t go in vain.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_GamalielHarris3.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumnus Gamaliel Harris celebrates a pivotal academic achievement
\n after earning his degree in 2025. Harris credits his time at FAMU with helping shape
\n the confidence and musical foundation that led to his acceptance into Juilliard. (Photo
\n courtesy: Gamaliel Harris)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n